My first BP

[Kinra]

Pink belly is usually one of the first signs they are going to shed.

Mine get a pink belly, then they get darker, then they get dull (go blue), then they clear up for a day or two and then they shed. ^__^

When you see his eyes starting to cloud up that's the time to really leave him alone until he sheds. They can't see like that and the oils from our skin can dry them out. Try to bump your humidity up if you can too, it will help him shed.

Also he might not eat right away if he's going to shed. I feed mine while they are shedding but I know a lot of people don't. Some ball pythons also won't eat when they are in the shed process.

[iHAZreptiles]

Ok I'll see what he looks like before I feed him tomorrow. Should I still try to move him to his feeding tank or just cover the bottom with newspaper?

[RetiredJedi]

Ok I'll see what he looks like before I feed him tomorrow. Should I still try to move him to his feeding tank or just cover the bottom with newspaper?

That's a matter of opinion and you will get a lot of different answers on that.

As far as the damp towel goes, when my BP was getting ready to shed I took a damp cloth and put it under that foil treatment and it bumped up the humidity just right.

[iHAZreptiles]

That's a matter of opinion and you will get a lot of different answers on that.

Ok but I use bark, but will switch to aspen sometime next month. Does that make a difference? I don't want to take any chances.
Also, should I try to give him a bath, or maybe add another water bowl to make sure he stays moist.

[Kinra]

Ok but I use bark, but will switch to aspen sometime next month. Does that make a difference? I don't want to take any chances.
Also, should I try to give him a bath, or maybe add another water bowl to make sure he stays moist.

Repti Bark is fine to use as is cypress mulch. Aspen is a popular choice because I believe it is the cheaper of the 3. Never keep them on Pine or Cedar, it's toxic to snakes.

I would only give him a bath if he doesn't shed well. Moving your water bowel under the lamp/over the heat pad when you get it will help raise your humidity a little.

[iHAZreptiles]

Ok thanks guys, I will still feed him if he takes it, I will just cover as much of tank with newpaper as I can just in case to see how he eats.

[Kinra]

Ok thanks guys, I will still feed him if he takes it, I will just cover as much of tank with newpaper as I can just in case to see how he eats.

Good luck.

[Kinra]

Ok I'll see what he looks like before I feed him tomorrow. Should I still try to move him to his feeding tank or just cover the bottom with newspaper?

I feed mine in their cages and have never had a problem. I also feed them on aspen, you could place news paper or a paper towel down if you are concerned that he might eat some of the substrate. Some snakes won't eat outside of their cages, I have one that is a super shy feeder and will only eat if I leave her completely alone after placing it in her cage.